Veggie Grill officially opened today (Jan. 23) after a couple of days training for their staff, at which times they served free meals to locals on their email list. It's in Cedar Hills Crossing, along the frontage of Cedar Hills Blvd., just north of Hall Blvd. - where you'd enter to go to New Seasons. I hear two more outlets will be open sometime soon - one at NW 185th and Cornell Rd. (Hillsboro) and the other at 5th and Taylor downtown. They're scouting for other locales too.

All vegan, quick service and the food was very well prepared. I'm in love with their Kale salad - the dressing was amazing. And it's even better if you add in blackened tempeh. I also appreciated the acoustic tiles they use in the ceiling and one of the walls; despite the place being packed and music being played, it was easy to hear conversation from everyone in our group.

_________________Formerly Kaleicious. I still love kale, but no more than lots of other garden greens too! Orach is currently my favorite.

I'm way more excited for the downtown locale...it's replacing the Carl's Jr in late spring/early summer. Holy shiitake, what a location and swap.

I've tried a lot and my favorites are the Bayou blackened chickin' sandwich, buffalo wings (awesome!) and the nachos (and anything you can dip in the chipotle ranch). I like the kale salad, too, but kale salad die-hards seem to think it's too sweet or something (I'm not one). I'm not wild about the mac & cheese or chili cheese fries (both bland) and anything with crispy chickin' is good, but one must love fried Gardein. The burgers are not housemade, so don't order if you don't like Boca (or maybe it's Gardenburger..I don't know, I don't eat them).

So I went today because I had some other biz to do in the burbs. I thought it was just ok. I had the Santa Fe burger that came with a small cup of chili. The chili tasted nothing like chili, more like sweet beans from a can. The burger was ok, the faux chicken was a thick slab, which I appreciated, but I wasn't wowed by it. But, I only tried one thing, so I will keep an open mind and try more once they are downtown. I got a Native Foods vibe from the place, but actually like NF better. It was cool to see how busy they were and they are in a great location. I love that they will be replacing the Carl's Jr downtown. That is literally right next door to my work, and hey, no more Carl's Jr there!

Hmm, there's kind of a sweet job opening at that New Seasons (I work at the Arbor Lodge one) and I was thinking I wouldn't apply because of it being so far away but how cool would it be to be able to go there for lunch?! Hmm...

How timely! I hated that Carl's Jr. because my bus always makes a scheduled 2-min break at the stop on the corner across the street and the bus fills up with nauseating (literally - not just because I'm vegan) oil fumes. And this morning, it was gone!!!!

yay!

_________________"I'm just going to shake genitals instead of hands from now on. Cut out the middle man." - joyfulgirl